Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has added to his backroom team with the appointment of Benni McCarthy as a first-team coach. Photo: Twitter @ManUtd
Benni’s ‘different voice’ welcomed by Man United manager
Erik ten Hag is said to be giving his full backing to first team coach Benni McCarthy despite Man United’s early-season struggles.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has added to his backroom team with the appointment of Benni McCarthy as a first-team coach. Photo: Twitter @ManUtd
Benni McCarthy has had to quickly settle into his new high-profile job as a first-team coach at Manchester United after it was officially confirmed last month that manager Erik ten Hag had added to his backroom team with the appointment of the South African soccer legend.
Benni was first at Old Trafford as the Red Devils drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano in United’s final pre-season friendly, although it was a disappointing start to the Premier League season as the English giants fell to a disappointing loss against Brighton in their season-opener.
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Things have gone from bad to worse as a 4-0 thrashing was then handed out by Brentford on Saturday.
It’s clear that Ten Hag desperately needs to bolster his attacking ranks at Old Trafford, with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford continuing to misfire, while Anthony Martial is still out injured and Mason Greenwood indefiinitely suspended. Cristian Ronaldo also still faces an uncertain future at United.
The under-fire United manager has reportedly now made a direct request to the club board to sign talented Ajax winger Antony this summer.
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While McCarthy has reportedly been a hit with Cristiano Ronaldo and other stars at the club, United have only found the net once this season so far, but Ten Hag is still said to be happy with McCarthy’s involvement so far.
“Benni is relaxed and he’s straight into the team and it’s good to have him here,” he said this past weekend.
“He has a different voice and this can be really helpful to get the right results.”
McCarthy hasn’t had much time to work with United’s playmakers, but all neutral South Africans will surely be rooting for McCarthy to have a successful start to his English Premier League coaching stint.
Below you can watch a clip of Benni overseeing a United training session:
According to a report in the UK’s Daily Mail, Benni is already a ‘hit with the Old Trafford faithful’.
“Benni McCarthy appears to be a popular addition to Manchester United’s coaching staff, with insiders disclosing an almost Pied Piper affect at the club’s Carrington training ground,” the report states.
“The former Ajax, Porto and Blackburn striker – a boyhood United fan – has been holding extra shooting practice after being asked by Bruno Fernandes.
“McCarthy’s sessions have proved popular, with Christian Eriksen quick to join in. When Cristiano Ronaldo and new signing Lisandro Martinez found out they were also quick to get involved.”
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On Saturday, in an exclusive interview with SuperSport, McCarthy has now described how his appointment was “next level”, and felt like the reward for ensuring he never stopped chasing his dreams.
You can watch a clip of the interview below, or head here for the full video.
Benni has been warmly welcomed at United
In a statement released earlier this month, United said “the former striker has both the pedigree and knowledge to assist in sharpening up the team’s attack”.
Ten Hag was on the look-out for one more recruit to his backroom staff, in preparation for next weekend’s Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford, and felt his fellow former Ajax man fitted the bill.
“There was still one place in our coaching staff that I wanted to fill,” he told MUTV. “Someone with a different voice and Benni is that one.
“He has experience as a manager. He was a coach in the professional level and he was a former striker, a really successful striker as well.”
The manager also elaborated on McCarthy’s specific role at Carrington, with the Reds preparing for life at home and abroad in 2021/22.
“He will focus on the positioning and attacking,” said Ten Hag.
“I’m not saying only the strikers, but also the integration from the full-backs and midfielders. Our way of play has to be dynamic.”
You can watch a clip of Benni chatting in Man United colours below:
